However, in a surprise move late last week, Air Namibia management asked Compion to leave immediately.

"I am no longer with Air Namibia.

Yesterday was my last day," is all Compion would say on Friday when contacted by The Namibian.

By that time he was already on his farm in the Hochfeld area, where he says he plans to farm full-time.

Compion said he and Air Namibia management had come to "an agreement" that he would leave earlier than planned.

Compion would not say what sparked the decision.

By the time of going to press yesterday, Air Namibia's Corporate Communications department had failed to respond to a request for comment made on Friday.

Flight captain Alois Jonach is believed to have been designated to fill Compion's position in a temporary capacity.

Compion was appointed as Air Namibia's General Manager for Operations and Technical Services in 2002 as part of an interim management team to oversee the transition of the airline into a new company.

He was appointed permanently in the post last year.

This month has been a turbulent one for Air Namibia.

Government has once again demanded answers about its dismal financial position, despite management saying last year that by turning around operations, the books would also reflect a healthier status.

Staff morale also appears to be sliding, with former and present employees crying foul over appointment procedures and charging that nepotism is rife within the company.

Complaints have been lodged with the Labour Commissioner's Office and with private lawyers.

Last week also saw Air Namibia lose one of its 747 flight captains.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila told the National Assembly that she preferred not to publicly announce what the reintroduction of the London route was costing the airline.

She said the request from the DTA's Johan De Waal could disadvantage the airline, which operated on a competitive basis, but that she would be happy to provide him with the details in private.

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